Central Coast Council has put its support behind the national Sport4All program as the first local government area to sign up to the program in NSW.
Sport4All aims to help sporting clubs and schools become more accessible and inclusive to support people with disability to have choice and control over where and how they would like to participate in sport.
The program has been commissioned and funded by the Australian Government and is delivered by Get Skilled Access, a Disability Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) founded by Paralympian Dylan Alcott in 2017.
Alcott says sport not only changed his life – it saved it.
“I was just like my big brother Zack, who doesn’t have a disability, and wanted to play sport,” he said.
“That’s why we developed Sport4All so that people with disability can take part in sport when, where and how they choose.”
Alcott said participating in sport is every Australian’s right, not a privilege and this included the 4.5 million Australians who had a disability.
“That’s a lot of people who want to play or participate in sport and so your school or club needs to be inclusive and ready to embrace people with disability,” he said.
Council Administrator Rik Hart said he was proud Central Coast Council was the first Council in NSW to support the program.
“This is something that’s reflected in our annual grants programs, where Council supports clubs and community spaces to adapt their facilities and equipment to become more accessible and inclusive for the community,” he said.
“This program is also in line with Council’s own Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) 2021-2025, which is about having a socially connected community.
“Council completely supports the benefits of enabling people with a disability to have choice and control on how they want to participate in sport.”
Also, in line with Council’s DIAP is increasing employment of people with disability in meaningful roles at Council and in the community, Hart said.
“A person with a disability and a connection to sport will be employed within Council part-time to help support the program by engaging with local sporting clubs and schools,” he said.
Council’s Director Community Recreation and Services, Melanie Smith, said the person who filled the role would bring their real-life experiences to the clubs and schools to create a strong link and help achieve the purpose of Sport4All and the benefits and opportunities the program could bring.
“We’re really excited to be taking part in the program of Sport4All and the change this will hopefully bring in removing barriers for people with disability wanting to participate in sport.”
For more information visit the Sport4All program webpage.
Source:
Central Coast Council